Vacuum-sealing machine.



E. B. KRAMER & C. HAMMER.

VACUUM SEALING MACHINE,

APPLICATION mu) JULY 17.1915.

Patented Oct. 30,1917.

2 SHEETS SHEET 1.

E. R. KRAMER R R. HAMMER.

VACUUM SEALING MACHiNE. A PPUCATION F|LED JULY 17.1915 1,244,508.Patented Oct. 30, 191 7.

2 SHEETS SHEET 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 2 ERIC B. KRAMER, oriaRooKLYN, AND CHARLES HAMMER, on NEW Y RK, N. Y., AssIeNoRS, BY DinnerAND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, no AMERICAN METAL cAr 00., OFBROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

vAcU m-siiALINe MACHINE.

Specification of Letters latent.

York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVacuum-Sealing Machlnes,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus that operates automatically, whena jar and a cover are placed in the closet, whereby the air is exhaustedfrom the closet, and out of provide in a device of the character setforth,

the jar and thereupon the cover is caused to be rigidly secured on thetop of the jar,w hile the vacuum is still maintained.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatusof the character set 'forth, wherein, upon placing the jar and cover inthe closet of the device, and merely closing the door, the closet isautomatically exhausted, and thereupon force is exerted on the-jar totightly secure the lid on top of thejar, during the maintenance of thevacuum; and at the conclusion of such operation, the vacuum is relievedand the door released for opening. 7

Another object is to provide a form of separate .valves in the closetfor controlling the exhaust andair ports.

A further object of the invention, is to pressure-exerting meansoperative to seal the lid on the jar; that is operated and controlled byvacuum and air pressure, the ex.- haust being effected through arestricted passage connecting with the'closet in'which the jar issubject to the vacuum; and which member.

passage may be cbntrolled by a suitable restrictmg device which isadjustable to there-.

by control the operation of the lid-sealing In the accompanyin drawingsillustrating one embodiment 0 our invention, Figure 1 showsthe'apparatus with the door of the closet open,- and certain portions insection. Fig. 2 is' a horizontal section through the closet on the line2"2 of Fig. 4. Fig.

3 is a vertical section through the door slide,-

on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a VBl'tlr cal section enlarged ofthe upper portion of the apparatus, partly in. elevation, the view beingtaken at aright angle to that shown Patented Oct. 30, 191 '7.

on the base 7, leaving the lower end of the cylinder open and exposed tothe atmos phere. on top of the cylindrical portion 8 rests the circularplate or disk 11 that as Shown is an integral base portion of the closet9.

In the cylinder 8 reciprocates a piston 12 of the trunk type, formed ofa head 13 from which projects the side'portion. The lower portion of thepiston is hence exposed to atmospheric pressure, while the upper tape ofA the pistonhead 13 is subject to the pressure at the air in the upperportion of the cylin- The closet 9 above its base 11 has somewhatU-shape side walls 14 on three sides, the fourth side being open asindicatedin Figs. 1 and 2, to be closed by a swinging door 15 suitablyhinged to theside wall 14 at 16. As shown a coil spring 47 on the hingerod serves to swing the door to they open position when it is free tomove, by

release of the Vacuum in the closet that acts to hold the door shut.

A rod 17 projects upward from the piston head 13, through an aperture18in the base 11, into the closet 9, and has secured at its upper end aplunger 19, for supporting a jar 20, as shown in Fig. 1. The upper endof the closet 9 has a closure 6 that is shown as supporting a chuck 21.v The latter is adapted to engagethe lid 22 of the jar,'that is looselyplaced thereon when the jar is inserted on the plunger 19. It will beseen that if the cylinder 8 is exhausted above the piston head l8,- thepiston will be forced upward by atmospheric pressure on its lower willforce the lid securely on the jar Connected with the closet .9 is achamber 23, communicating therewith by a passage 24, which chamber isclosed except for two apparatus is operative to continually exhaust theair from the closet through the chamber 23 and passage 24. The chamber23 also has a port 27 for connecting the closet with the atmosphericair. A valve is arranged to control the air port 27 and a valve is alsoarranged to control the exhaust port 25; and these valves are preferablyconnected for simultaneous movement whereby the opening of the exhaustvalve will close the air valve, and the opening of the air valve willclose the exhaust valve. As shown a lever 28 is pivotally mounted in thechamber 23 and carries a valve 29 serving to close the exhaust port 25.The other endof lever 28 is pivoted to a rod or slide 30, shownseparately in Fig. 5. This slide has a reduced portion 31 projectingthrough the port 27 and being of much less area than the port, will notretard the flow of the air, as indicated in Fig. 6. The slide 30 carriesa. valve 32 outside of the chamber 23, that when the slide is advancedwill serve to close the port 27, as indicated in Figs. a

and 6. The slide 30 is guided in a suitable block 33, and is connectedwith a spring 34 tending to move the slide and lever 28, to cause thevalve 29 to close the exhaust port 25, and will move the annular valve32 away from-the port 27. Thus the closet is normally closed at theexhaust port 25, and open to the air through the port 27.

The other extremity of the slide 30,will be held by the spring, with thevalves as just described, in position to be engaged by the door 15 whenit is moved to the closed position. That is, when the door is fullyclosed, the slide and lever will be moved to the position shown in Fig.l, in which the annular valve 32 will close the air port 27, and theexhaust valve 29 will be in the open position. This will cause theexhaustion of the closet 9 through the pipe 26. And when the lever isfree, the spring will shift the valve lever to close the exhaust valve29 and open the air valve 32.

The upper portion of the cylinder 8, above the piston head 13 isconnected with the closet by a restricted passage. As shown a pipe 35leads from the cylinder 8 and con- 'nects with the closet at 36, seeFig. 2. In

this pipe 35 is arranged a suitable adjust-' able restricting member,such as a needle valve. 37 controlled. by handle 38. When be quicklyexhausted while at a later period the cylinder will be exhausted topermit the piston to rise' by atmospheric pressure on its lower face.Therefore the closet will be completely exhausted before the piston hashad time to move upwardly and cause the sealing of the lid, by theplunger forcing the jar and lid against the chuck. When subsequently thecloset is connected with the outside air, the pressure will be slowlyrestored in the cylinder by reason of the restriction, and the pistonwill have a sluggish fall to return the plunger to the bottom of thecloset by retarded movement.

When the door was closed to cause the exhaustion of the closet, theatmospheric pressure'on the door held it very strongly in the closedposition, as long as the exhaust valve remained open. Means aretherefore provided for opening the exhaust valve when the piston risessuiiiciently to effectthe sealing of the jar lid, whereby the door willbe released and will automatically swing open by its spring 47. As shownwe provide a blade 39 in the door Whose upper end is held by a spring40- normally opposite a cavity 41 in the door. This cavity is inposition to register with the extremity of the slide 30 when the door isclosed, but the blade in normal position will cover the cavity and serveto engage the slide to swing the valve lever 28, as described. When thepiston head 13 reaches its uppermost position for sealing the lid on thejar, it will engage a rod 42 connected with a swinging lever 4-3mountedon the base 11. The other extremity of this lever when swung willen gage a projection lion the blade 39 and move the blade downward awayfrom engagement with the slide30. Hence the 105 spring 34 will move theslide 30 now released from the blade 39, into the cavity l1, whichoperation will swing the lever 28 to close the exhaust valve 29 and openthe air port 27. This will admit the air to the 110 closet and hencerelease the door 15, to swing to open posit-ion. A spring45 serves toretract the lever 43 when released from the piston head 13. Y

In the operation of the device, it is only 115 necessary to insert thejar with the lid placed loosely thereon or else held in the chuck 21;and to move the door to the closed position. The blade 39 on the doorwill engage the slide 30 and swing the 120 valve lever to close the airport 27 and open the exhaust port 25. The air will be at once exhaustedfrom the closet, and more slowly from the cylinder 8 above the piston.This will cause the piston 12 to rise from 125 the atmospheric pressureon its lower face, and the jar will be carried up until its lid strikesthe chuck, that will seal it on the jar. At this period the pistonhead-l3 will swing the lever 43 to shift the blade l3n 39 on thedoor,and the latter will release the slide 30, to permit its spring toclose the exhaust valve and open the air valve. This will free the doorto open, and will relieve the'vacuum in the cylinder permitting thepiston to slowly descend to normal position. The timing of the movementof the piston can be very nicely re ated by the valve 38, to insure thepiston rising after a sulficient period to properly exhaust the closet.

If a quick return of the piston 12 is desired, a pipe 50 connects thecylinder with the closet 9, that is normally closed by a 15 check valve51, which can open to permit quick admission of air to the cylinder 8.

It will be observed from Fig. 4 that two distinctive separate valvescontrol the exhaust and the air ports respectively for the 2'0 closet.These valves are rigidly connected and have simultaneous movement withopposite effects, that is, the closing movement of one valve takes placeat the same time as the opening movement of the other valve,

and vice versa. When the lever 28 and slide 30 move in one direction, asby the closing of the door, the exhaust valve that is normally heldclosed by the spring 34, is now moved to the open position. This move-30 ment of the rod 30 will bring the valve 32 to the closed positionfrom its normal open position. It will be understood that the exhaustvalve 29 that is held closed by the spring 34, will also be held closedby atmos- 35 .pheric pressure by reason of the exhaust in its port. Andwhen the valve 32 has been closed and a vacuum is established inthechamber 23, this valve will be held closed to a certain extent by theatmos heric pressure; although in fact 'it is hel the door and the blockthereon -with the spring 34 under tension.

It will be further understood that the opening of the valve 29 will drawthe air out of the chamber 23 a short time before the the air valve 32closes, but the'air entering the chamber around the valve 32 will tendto seat this valve at once. And in the reverse movement, when the springmoves the rod 30 and lever 28 to close the valve 29,

' the air will rush in under the valve 32 when first opened and assistin closing the valve 29, by reason of the exhaust through the port 25. I

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet providedwith an exhaust port and an air port, means for-cone trolling said portsto alternately exhaust the closet and to connect it with atmosphericair, a plunger slidable in the closet, a cylinder, a piston slidable inthe cylinder and connected with the plunger, and a passage 5 connectingthe closet with the cylinder and closed by closet has been exhausted. 7o

2. In a vacuum sealingmachine, the combination of a closet provided withan exhaust port and an air port, means for controlling said ports toalternately exhaust the closet and to connect it with atmospheric air, aplunger slidable in the closet, a cylinder,

a piston slidable in the cylinder and connected'with the plunger, apassage connecting the closet. with the cylinder and pro I vided withrestricting means whereby when 30 the closet is exhausted the cylinderwill be subjected to a retarded exhaust, to cause advance of the pistonand plunger after the closet has been exhausted, and means forcontrolling the air and exhaust ports of the 35 closet'from the movementof the piston.

3. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet providedwith a door to close the same, a plunger slidable in the closet, acylinder, a piston slidable in the 9g cylinder and connected with theplunger, a port in the closet for connection with an exhaust device, avalve arranged to control said port, means arranged to be engaged by thedoor when closedto shift the valve to open the exhaust port, an airport-in the closet, an air port valve connected-with the exhaust valvethat is opened when the exhaust "valve is closed and which is closedwhen the exhaust valve opens, a restricted passage connecting the closetwith the cylinder to exhaust the cylinder and cause advance of thepiston and'plunger by air pressure, and means arranged to be engaged bysaid piston at the'final part of its said ad- 195.

vance whereby to eifect the closing of the exhaust valve and opening ofthe air valve.

4. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet providedwith a door to close the same, a plunger slidable in the 119 closet, acylinder, a piston slidable in the cylinder and connected with theplunger, a port in the closet for connection with an exhaust device, avalve arranged to control said port, means arranged to be engaged by 5the door when closed to shift the valve to open the exhaust port, an airport in the closet, an airport valve connected with the exhaust valvethat is opened whenthe'exhaust valve is closed and which is closed 1'20vwhen the exhaust valve opens, a" passage connecting the closet with thecylinder to exhaust the cylinder and causeadvance of the piston and,plunger by air pressure, means arranged to be engaged by said pis- 5ton at the final part of its said advance whereby to eliect the closingof the exhaust valve and opening of the air valve, and an adjustablerestricting valve in said connecting passage;

5. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet providedwith a door to close the same, a plunger slidable in the closet, acylinder, a piston slidable in the cylinder and connected-with theplunger, a port in the closet for connection with an exhaust device, avalve arranged to control said port, meansarranged to be engaged by thedoor when closedto shift the valve to open the exhaust port, means toclose the exhaust valve when released from the door, an air port in thecloset, a valve for the air port connected with said exhaust valve to beopened when the exhaust valve is closed and which air valve is closedwhen the exhaust valve is opened, a restricted passage connecting thecloset with the cylinder to exhaust the cylinder and cause advance ofthe piston and plunger by air pressure, and means actuated by saidpiston at the final part of its advance to releasethe valve member fromthe door and permit the said exhaust valve closing means to close saidvalve and open the air valve.

6. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet providedwith a door to close the same, a plunger slidable in the closet, acylinder, a piston slidable in the cylinder and connected with theplunger, a port in the closet for connection with an exhaust device, avalve arranged to control said port, a slide connected with said valveand arranged to be engaged by the door when closed to thereby shift thevalve to open the exhaust port, a spring to retract said slide whenreleased from the door and thus close the valve, an air port in thecloset, a valve on said slide for the air port that is opened when theexhaust valve is closed and which is closed when the door shifts the.slide to open the exhaust valve, a blade movably carried by the door andnormally held in position t'oloperate said slide on closing of the door,a restricted passage connecting the closet with the cylinder to exhaustthe cylinder and cause advance of the piston and plunger by air pressurewhen the closet is exhausted, a lever adapted to engage said blade toshift it out of position of engagement with the valve slide-to free theslide from control by the door, and a connection on said lever adapted-to be engaged by said piston at the final part of its said advance,whereby the lever will free the plate from said slide and permit theslide to be shifted by its spring to close the exhaust valve and openthe air valve.

7 In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet provided witha door to close the same, a plunger slidable in the closet, a cylinder,a piston slidable in the cylinder and connected with the plunger, a portin the closet for connection with an exhaust device, a valve in thecloset controlling the exhaust port, a slide projecting ,sos

through an aperture in the closet and connected with said valve tocontrol the valve, an annular valve on said slide adapted to close thesaid opening when the slide is advanced to open the exhaust valve, saidslide being arranged to be engaged by the door when closed and shiftedto close the annular valve and open the exhaust valve, a spring arrangedto operate said slide to close the exhaust valve and open the air valve,a restricted passage connecting the cylinder and closet to exhaust'thecylinder through the closet upon closing of the door whereby to advancethe piston and plunger, and'means connected with the piston to releasesaid slide from the closed door to permit the slide to close the exhaustvalve and open said annular valve at the final advance of the piston.

8. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet providedwith a door to close the same,a plunger slidable in the closet, acylinder, a piston slidable in the cylinder and connected with theplunger, a port in the closet for connection with an exhaust device, avalve in'the closet controlling the exhaust port, a slide projectingthrough an aperture in the closet and connected' with said valve tocontrol the valve,

an annular valve on said slide adapted to close the said opening whenthe slide is advanced to open the exhaust valve, said slide beingarranged to be engaged by the door when closed and shifted to close theannular valve and open the exhaust valve, a spring arranged to close theexhaust valve and open the air valve, a restricted passage connectingthe cylinder and closet to exhaust the cylinder through the closetupon'closing of the door whereby to advance the piston and plunger, ablade carried by the door normally in position to engage said slide, alever arranged to engage said blade to shift it from normal position,and a rod projecting from the cylinder and connected with said lever,said rod being adapted to be engaged by the piston at the final portionof its advance movement to swing the lever and shift the blade, andthereby release the slide to close the exhaust valve and open the airvalve.

9. In a vacuum sealing closet, a port for connection with an exhaust, apuppet valve arranged to close such port, an air inlet port, a separatepuppet valve arranged to close the air port, and a member connectingsaid valves whereby when the member is moved in one direction it willfirst open the exhaust valve an upon further movement will close the airvalve and upon reverse movement of the member it will first open theexhaust valve and upon further movement will close the air valve, saidexhaust valve when, closed being pressed against its seat by atmosphericpressure.

i so

10. In a vacuum sealing closet, a port for connection with an exhaust, avalve arranged to close such port, an air inlet port, a

separate valve arranged to close the air port,

and a member connecting said valves whereby when the member is moved inone direction it will first open the exhaust valve and upon furthermovement will close the air valve and upon reverse movement of themember it will first open the exhaust valve and upon further movementwill close the air valve, said air valve when closed being pressedagainst its seat by atmospheric pressure.

11. In a vacuum sealing closet, a ort for connection with an exhaust, ava ve are ranged to close such port, an air inlet port, a separate valvearranged to close the air port, and a member connecting said valveswhereby when the member is moved in one direction it will first open theexhaust valve and upon further movement will close the air valve andupon reverse movement of the member it will first open the exhaust valveand upon furthermovement will close the air valve, a spring attached tothe valve operating member to move it to close the exhaust valve andopen the air valve, a door arranged to close the closet, and meansarranged to cause the closing of the door to shift the valve memberagainst the force of said spring to first open the exhaust valve and atthe final closing movement to close the air valve.

12. In a vacuum sealing closet, a port connected with'an exhaust, a'lever pivotally mounted in the closet, a valve on the lever to closesaid port and which is held closed by the exhaust action, an air port inthe closet, a rod projecting through said port and connected with saidlever, an annular valve on said rod arranged to close the said port whenthe lever is moved to open the exhaust valve,'and which is closed whenthe exhaust valve is'open.

13. In a vacuum sealing closet, a, port connected with an exhaust, alever pivotally mounted in the closet, a valve on the lever to closesaid port and which is held closed by the exhaust action, an air port inthe closet, a rod projecting through said port and connected with saidlever, an annular valve on said rod arranged to close the said port whenthe lever is moved to open the exhaust valve, and which is closed whenthe exhaust valve is open, a spring connected with said rod arranged toshift the rod and lever to open the air valve and close the exhaustvalve, a

door on the closet arranged to engage said rod when the door is closedto first open the I exhaust valve and at the final closing movement toclose the air valve.

14; In a vacuum seahng machine, the

combination of a closet provided with an exhaust port and an air port,means for con ton slidable in the cylinder and connected with theplunger, a passage connecting the closet with the cylinder and providedwith restricting means whereby when the closet is exhausted the cylinderwill be subjected to a retarded exhaust, to cause advance of the pistonand plunger after the closet has been exhausted, a conduit providingfree passage between the closet and the cylinder, and a check-valve toprevent return passage therethrough from the cylinder to the closet.

15. In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet providedwith a door to close the same, a plunger slidable in the closet, acylinder, a, piston slidable in the cylv inder nd connected with theplunger, a port in the closet for connection with an exhaust device, avalve arranged to controlsaid port, meansarranged to be engaged by thedoor when closedto shift the valve to open the exhaust port, an air portin the closet, an air port valve connected with the exhaust valve thatis opened when the exhaust valve is closed and which is closedwhen'theexhaust valve opens, 'a passage connecting the closet with thecylinder to exhaust the cylinder and cause advance of the piston andplunger by air pressure, means arranged to be engaged by said piston atthe final part ofits said advance whereby to effect the closing of theexhaust valve and opening of the air valve, a conduit providing freepassage between the closet and the cylinder, and a check-valve toprevent return passage the cylinder to the closet. 1

16, In a vacuum sealing machine, the combination of a closet providedwith a door to therethrough from close the same, a plunger slidable inthe I closet, a cylinder, a piston slidable in the cylinder andconnected with the plunger, a port in the closet for connection with anexhaust device, a valve arranged to control said port, means arranged tobe engaged by the door when closed to shift the valve to effect theclosing of the exhaust valve and opening of the air valve, anadjustable'restricting valve in said connecting passage, a conduitproviding free passage between the closet and the cylinder, and acheck-valve to prevent return passage therethrough from the cylinder tothe closet.

17. In a vacuum-sealing machine, a sealing closet provided with a'closed chamber therein having an air port connecting with the closet, asecond port in the chamber connecting with an exhaust, a valve workingin the chamber to control the exhaust port, a valve operating in thesaid port connecting with the closet and operably connected with the airport valve from-the outside of the chamber, said valves being connectedwhereby when the air 'valve is closed the exhaust valve is opened andwhen the exhaust valve closes the air valve opens, a door arranged toclose the closet, and means connected with the valves to normally retainthe exhaust valve closed and the air valve open, which means on closingthe door is engaged to close the air valve and open the exhaust valve.

' 18. Ina vacuum sealing closet, a port forconnection with an exhaust, apuppet valve arranged to close said port, an air inlet port, a separatepuppet valve pivoted to said valve and arranged to' close the air port,and a member connecting said valves said parts being arranged wherebywhen said member is moved in one direction it will first open theexhaust valve, and upon further movement of the member it will close theair valve, and upon retraction of the member it will first open theexhaust valve and thereupon close the air valve.

19. In a vacuum sealing machine, a sealmacros ing closet provided with aclosed chamber therein having an ir port connecting with the closet, asecond port in the chamber connecting with an exhaust, a valve workingin the chamber to control the exhaust port, a valve separate from saidvalve and operated in the said port connecting with the closet andpivotally connected with the air port valve horn the outside of thechamber, said valves being connected whereby when the air valve isclosed the, exhaust valve is.

V is exhausted the cylinder will be subjected to an exhaust, to causeadvance of the piston and plunger after the closet has been exhaustedand valve means for controlling the air and exhaust ports of the closetdirectly actuated from the movement of the piston.

ERIC B. KRAMER. CHARLES HAlWiER.

